It was like watching a young Virat Kohli take over the field all over again. He was every bit animated, celebrated the fall of wickets like there was no tomorrow, and gave a piece of his mind to the opponents at every chance he got. Only this time, it was a 36-year-old Kohli playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Punjab Kings (PBKS) took on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Qualifier 1 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh. What was anticipated as a cracker of a contest between two dominant franchises of the year turned into a one-sided affair. Shreyas Iyer’s side was put in to bat first after RCB won the toss. Suyash Sharma and Josh Hazlewood claimed three-fers as Punjab fumbled and tumbled to an ordinary 101 on the scoreboard. RCB, in their response, were clinical as they reached the target in just 10 overs and at a loss of two wickets. The win marked RCB’s return to an IPL final after 9 excruciating years. Watching Kohli’s over-the-top display on the field during the the qualifier night only cemented the fact that the flamboyant cricketer, who has been associated with the Bengaluru-based franchise since the inception of the IPL, still has the same vigour and hunger for his team as he had when he joined the league as a young chap. Wicket Celebrations No words could do justice but a picture speaks a thousand words, doesn’t it? Here is a visual display of what Punjab were up against on Thursday night during the crucial encounter. Kohli was in some mood. This is what we pay our internet bills for ?❤️ pic.twitter.com/EJAnBYak0o — Kevin (@imkevin149) May 29, 2025 The former India captain displayed the kind of energy that would remind the cricket fans of Kohli positioned in the slip cordon during the England Vs India Test at the Lord’s in 2021. Also Read: Did Shankar Mahadevan Really Sing ‘Breathless’ With A Single Breath? Virat Kohli energy>>> pic.twitter.com/wcfMoqLFkA — Cricket Picture that Goes Hard (@HardCricketpix) May 29, 2025 Musheer Khan When Punjab were struggling to get going and their wickets tumbling routinely, the franchise sent Musheer Khan was sent in as an impact player. Khan was neither part of the playing XI nor had he ever played IPL before Thursday night. Kohli decided to mock the IPL debutant, the younger brother of Indian Test player Sarfaraz Khan, while standing in the first slip. “Yeh paani pilata hai (He is the water boy).” (X/Screengrab) The gesture was deemed as distasteful unanimously. Gone Too Far? Kohli’s OTT celebrations on the night weren’t everyone’s cup of tea. Those who were closely watching the game wondered why Kohli was that passionate about Punjab wickets falling, especially when half the side was already back in the dugout. – PBKS is already 6 down for 60– RCB already in a winning position But still, this guy was celebrating the wicket of a 20-year-old youngster playing his debut match in such a pathetic manner in the stadium where his 12-13 year old fans are present pic.twitter.com/UjRhEgwCiq — ` (@dhoniiiverse) May 29, 2025 One More To Go Amid all the drama that Kohli brought on the field, there was a sense of relief pasted all over his face. Once RCB emerged victorious, Kohli could be seen gesturing to his wife Anushka Sharma in the stands that he and his team RCB were one step away from doing the unimaginable: lifting the trophy for the very first time in all these years of IPL. Also Read: Digvesh Rathi Gets Flooded With Troll Comments On Instagram. But Why? THE EMOTIONS FROM KOHLI WHEN RCB QUALIFIED INTO THE FINAL. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/eLXZKUyq3r — Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 29, 2025 IPL 2025 Run Belting over 600 runs in the IPL in three consecutive seasons is no joke. While his actions on the field attract admirers and critics alike, his batting display this year (and the previous ones) cannot be discounted. He has, thus far, piled up a staggering 614 runs at an impressive average of 55.82 in 14 games. Striking at a rate of 146.54, Kohli has smashed as many as eight half-centuries for RCB.